The Chicago Bulls have waived point guards Rajon Rondo and Isaiah Canaan, according to a team statement on Friday.
Both players were signed last offseason, making this yet another quick stop for Rondo and one of many for the journeyman Canaan, who's been with three teams in his five years in the league.
The move clears the way for the youth and rebuild movement the organization will revolve around coach Fred Hoiberg‘s system.
Rondo's exit is the second of the group he once dubbed “The Three Alphas” along with star forward Jimmy Butler, who was shipped to Minnesota in a draft-day deal and shooting guard Dwyane Wade, who could look at a buyout from an organization that is clearly not looking to make strides to compete right away.
The often-brash point man only started 42 games, averaging 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game in 26.7 per outing — a vast difference from his league-leading double-digit assist season with the Sacramento Kings. He shot .408 from the field, .376 from deep, and .600 from the free-throw line.
Chicago now has Kris Dunn atop the depth chart, followed by Jerian Grant and mid-season acquisition Cameron Payne — making Dunn the go-to ticket in this equation and one they'll rest the fate of Hoiberg's system over the course of the season.